The Westminster Police Department’s 2018 Awards Ceremony honored the wide-ranging accomplishments of department personnel involved in every facet of law enforcement, from seasoned investigators to rookie officers, from supervisors to volunteers.

Held May 23 at the Rose Center, awards were given to officers who saved lives by taking impaired drivers off the roads and to officers whose investigative efforts led to the recovery of more than 100 stolen vehicles along with 30 arrests.

Donald Schuler, left, receives the Westminster Police Department Volunteer of the Year award from Det. Kyle Seasock during the 2018 Awards Ceremony.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

Officer of the Year honors went to Officer Tim Walker, who’s been with the Westminster Police Department since 1999.

Walker has served as a gang investigator and is considered such a consummate expert on Asian gangs that he is sought throughout Southern California for his knowledge.

When he returned to patrol following his time in investigations, Walker assumed the role of mentor, regularly taking time to assist his fellow officers and share his expertise.

Walker has recently taken on an additional role as a field training officer and has been instrumental in teaching the next generation of Westminster police officers.

“Tim’s phenomenal work ethic, professionalism, and knowledge make him a vital member of this agency and the department is lucky to have an officer of his caliber,” Westminster Police Officers’ Association President Mike Ogawa said.

The Ron Weber Sr. Investigator of the Year award went to Det. Kyle Seasock.

Life Saving Awards were given to Officers David Ramirez and Henry Tran for possibly saving the life of a suicidal man who was preparing to jump from the roof of a parking structure.

“Officers Ramirez and Tran were able to talk with the subject and convince him to sit down and speak with them,” Cmdr. Cameron Knauerhaze said. “Over the course of the next 30 minutes, Officers Ramirez and Tran were able to reason with the subject and convince him to voluntarily submit to a psychiatric evaluation.”

Dispatchers Linette McCain and Sara Velardo received Medal of Merit awards for their actions dealing with two homicides that occurred during a 24-hour period in August, one involving a body in a burning vehicle and the other involving a shooting victim.

“Dispatchers are the unsung heroes of law enforcement, represented by the Thin Gold Line,” Knauerhaze said. “Dispatchers must sort through the chaos and gather valuable information, all while trying to lend a compassionate ear to the victim or witness on the other side of the line. They are also a clearinghouse of information, providing officers the information they need to stay safe, alerting them to possible dangers as they respond to calls for service.”

Part Time Employee of the Year: Civilian Investigators Alejandra Toca and Peter Mach

Civilian Employee of the Year: Police Service Officer Cindy Gray

Volunteer of the Year: Don Schuler

Dispatch Supervisor Sonia Kelly, center, smiles as she receives the Supervisor of the Year award from Westminster Police Officers’ Association President Officer Mike Ogawa, left, and Det. Kyle Seasock during the Westminster Police Department 2018 Awards Ceremony.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge

Ron Weber Sr. Investigator of the Year: Det. Kyle Seasock

Rookie of the Year: Jonathan Figueroa

Officer of the Year: Tim Walker

Supervisor of the Year: Sonia Kelly

Top Shot Award: Officer Christian Hernandez

Westminster Police Officer Nicholas Jezulin, left, receives the M.A.D.D. Award from Commander Darin Upstill during the 2018 Awards Ceremony. Officer Claire Tran and Officer Lawrence Kubota also received the award but were unable to attend the ceremony.Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge